We usually like to see several performances at the Stephenville Theatre Festival (STF) and so far have seen 2 shows. On Wednesday, July 31 we headed down to Stephenville see “Jewel” which is a one woman show performed by Maggie Blake. We had seen her last year at the STF in Mary’s Wedding and were bowled over by the show and her performance so wanted to see her again this year in “Jewel”. We were not disappointed and we enjoyed her performance in this powerful play about Marjorie coming to grips with the loss of her husband with the sinking of the Ocean Ranger in 1982.

On Thursday, August 1 we headed to Gros Morne National Park to check out some of their new offerings. First up was a “Yaffle of Chores” which takes place at Broom Point. This programme is part of Experience Gros Morne which runs from June 28 to September 2 and covers a range of activities from guided hikes to nature interpretation. A “Yaffle of Chores” is a new programme that was started this year.

One of last season’s “must see “ shows at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head was Newfoundland Vinyl which celebrated Newfoundland music from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. And as Jeff Pitcher, the festival director told us recently “How could we resist not putting together another show with different songs and different performers for this season. There are so many great songs written by Newfoundlanders from that era“. And a real bonus is having Allison Crowe, a talented singer/songwriter in her own right as the musical director for the show.

We saw the play The Belle of Bonavista Bay with my brother and his wife who traveled all the way from Victoria, B.C. to do some exploring in Newfoundland. Since we like the Gros Morne Theatre Festival (GMTF) so much we decided to take them to this play along with Newfoundland Vinyl –The Flip Side which was playing the same night which males a great combination. The GMTF explores plays with a Newfoundland connection and The Belle of Bonavista is a fine example.

"My goal is to create memorable performances about this place –Cow Head and Newfoundland in general -that will appeal to both local residents and visitors alike” Theatre Newfoundland Labrador’s artistic director Jeff Pitcher told us as we chatted in the bright June sunshine overlooking beautiful Cow Head Bay. And the dinner theatre performance of “Sinking of the S.S. Ethie” by Shane Ellis Coates fits this philosophy to a tee.

Our city isn’t short of museums, galleries, historic sites, and unique attractions. Meet new people, hear our stories, and learn something new. Each of these places will bring you a colourful experience you won’t soon forget.

Neddy Norris Night is Gros Morne Theatre Festival’s dedicated musical performance and although the show has been running for many years under that name, each year is definitely different. Artistic director Jeff Pitcher told us before the show that some people think that it is going to be the identical show as in past years and hence don’t come to it. But as we found out even though Stephanie Payne has been the musical director for the show over the past two years, this show is very different than last years.

Al Pittman is one of Newfoundland’s best known playwrights and poets and the play “With Cruel Times in Between” celebrates a sampling of his work. The minimalist set of 6 chairs stacked precariously as the play opens are imaginatively used by the 6 actors to create a boat, a cradle, a classroom, and a creek as well as many other sets throughout the play.

Every year we look forward to attending the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head since we like the emphasis on music and plays that deal with topics that Newfoundlanders can relate to. On our first night we saw “Two” by Jim Cartwright and it deals with a pub in Northern England. True to its name, “Two” has just 2 actors but they play over a dozen roles from the landlord and landlady of the pub to various customers that come in over the course of the evening.

Ben Whitmarsh takes a 'hike' which explores the culinary traditions and lively atmosphere of Elliston in Newfoundland - and gets to eat more than his fair share of dishes crafted by some of Canada's top chefs

From the time the first colonists settled in Cupers’ Cove (now Cupids) in 1610, Newfoundland culture, heritage, and survival has revolved around the North Atlantic and its bounty. Spending time at The Wooden Boat Museum in Winterton gave me an idea of what life was like in the outport communities back when people relied on the land and sea to survive.

A place inhabited by unique and fascinating people is bound to attract folks with a similar penchant for individuality. Folks like Bernie and his mule Polly. While I was in Elliston, at the Roots, Rants and Roars Festival, I ran into Bernie – a man who exuded a one-of-a-kind personality and a distinct sense of adventure.